Every student at Powell Elementary School in Washington will walk away with a free Wizards-branded backpack stuffed with school supplies on Thursday, Aug. 13, courtesy of center Alex Sarr. The next day, forward Cam Whitmore will do the same at Claremont Immersion School in Arlington with Jordan Brand and Wizards-branded packs.
The two-day Back-to-School Tip-Off, reported by WUSA9, lands 10 days before DC Public Schools students in kindergarten through 12th grade return to class on Monday, Aug. 24.
Sarr will also hand out gift cards to Powell teachers to help them stock their classrooms. At Claremont, Whitmore will donate Jordan Brand backpacks to teachers, and the Wizards will give educators tote bags filled with supplies. The Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, the team's official charity, is funding the school supply kits and staff gift cards at both sites.
The giveaways are just part of the draw.
Students at both schools can pick a free book from MahoganyBooks, get a free haircut or hairstyle from Fresh Fades and CapeTown DMV, and grab complimentary pizza. Powell families can visit the MedStar Health Kids Mobile Medical Clinic for wellness resources, and Giant Healthy Living will distribute healthy snacks at both locations. Rita's Italian Ice will be at Powell; Capital City Mambo Sauce will bring its signature bottles to that event too.
The DC Public Library will sign families up for free library cards at Powell; the Arlington Public Library will do the same at Claremont.
Entertainment includes DJ Chalant, the Wizards Dancers, mascot G-Wiz, Pop-a-Shot, face painting and a photo booth.
The events put two of Washington's young building blocks in front of local kids at a pivotal moment for the franchise. Sarr, a third-year center ranked No. 95 on one preseason top-100 list, has shown high potential as a two-way big. Whitmore, acquired via trade last offseason, is extension-eligible heading into 2026-27.
Both are part of a rebuilt roster that now features No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, Trae Young and Anthony Davis. "It just shows that the culture is shifting in DC," Dybantsa told Bleacher Report in July during Summer League in Las Vegas, commenting on veterans showing up for the team's younger players. "We have a new team, new vets that wanna show love to the youngins."
The Wizards have lost 64 or more games in each of the last three seasons. The front office's aggressive offseason has generated real optimism that the losing stretch is over, and next week's school visits offer an early look at two players expected to be central to whatever comes next.
